2023 MLS Mock Draft: Final Mock 4 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 21, 2022.

30. St. Louis City SC: Amferny Sinclair, M, Syracuse
    
    
    St. Louis City SC drafts a player that some consider to be a first round talent in the second round for depth at the 6 at defensive midfielder. St. Louis City SC has two International roster slots still available, so if you draft a domestic player like Washington forward Ilijah Paul, San Diego State forward C.J. Fodrey, or Bowling Green defenseman Joey Akpunonu with the first overall pick, you can draft the best player on the board in the second and third round regardless of where the player is from. I gave St. Louis City SC Ilijah Paul at one, so that means Amferny Sinclair is an option at 2.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb Amferny Sinclair will require an International roster slot as a native of Costa Rica, but he's an ideal player who can play the 6 at defensive midfielder. Amferny Sinclair is the best defensive midfielder that Syracuse has had since Mo Adams back in 2018. Amferny Sinclair had 2 assists, 2 points, helped Syracuse record 10 shutouts, and was third to centerback Christian Curti and goalie Russell Shealy in minutes played on Syracuse with 1,892 minutes played in 2022. Amferney Sinclair's leadership and skillset is amazing.
    
    
    
    I had a first round grade on Syracuse center back Kamal Miller when he fell to the second round. Sinclair provides similar value and his ceiling is a player that could be on Costa Rica's World Cup team by 2026 or 2030 if he can continue to play aggresive while cutting his total number of yellow cards in half after having 10 yellow cards in 2022.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Sam Fowler, G, Washington
    
    
31. D.C. United: Chris Rindov, D, Maryland
    
    
    D.C. United makes more additions to their back line. One friend suggested I mock Joey Akpunonu second overall to D.C. United because the team can replace Sofianne Djefall with homegrown player. I gave D.C. United Shakur Mohammed the Duke midfielder with the second overall pick, so now D.C. United gets a center back for depth to fix a god awful backline that gave up a league worst 71 goals in 2022.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Chris Rindov led Maryland in minutes logged as a junior. He played the 5 at center back with Brett St. Martin playing the 4 as a sweeper. Chris Rindov may end up playing the 4 this Fall after leading Maryland in minutes played as a junior. Chris Rindov had 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, and helped Maryland get 8 shutouts in the Fall of 2021. He' got promoted to team captain and had 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, and helped Maryland get 4 shutouts in 2022. I had Rindov in the late first round for the longest time, but finally decided to move him down to the second round. I had Rindov at fifteen overall in my last mock draft, but he fell to the second round because this is a good, but not great center back group.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Daniel Wu, D, Georgetown
    
    
    
    
32. Toronto F.C.: Charlie Sharp, F, Western Michigan
    
    
    The 6-5 185 lb Charlie Sharp hacd 11 goals, 8 assists, and 30 points with Western Michigan after leading them to the final MAC Championship in MAC history in 2022 before helping Western Michigan get to the Sweet 16 in the 2022 College Cup where Western Michigan defeated Louisville on the road in a loud ACC environment before knocking off 9 seed Lipscomb in the round of 32. Western Michigan lost to Portland in the sweet 16 of the 2022 College Cup.
    
    
    
    He was MAC Freshman of the Year as a true freshman in 2019 too. Western Michigan and three other MAC schools are going to the Missouri Valley Conference for Mens Soccer in 2023 while the status of Akron and Chicago State remains unknown at this point. I had a first round grade on Charlie Sharp, but he didn't get an invite to the 2022 MLS College Showcase. With Ryan Becher sneaking into the first round, it caused Charlie Sharp to drop to the second round.
    
    
    
    Charlie Sharp is a natural 9 at striker. Toronto F.C. does not have a goal scoring striker and I'd argue he's an upgrade over every current striker on Toronto F.C..
    
    
    Previous Pick: Matt Chandler, D, Wisconsin
    
    
33. San Jose Earthquakes: Moses Mensah, D, Campbell
    
    
    San Jose drafts another International player in the second round as this team needs a left back. Moses Mensah is projected to play left back at the 2022 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 160 lb Moses Mensah will require an International roster slot, but he's an ideal player who can play the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, or the 5 at center back. Moses Mensah gives San Jose a starting left back here as he played left back in the 2021 MLS College Showcase before receiving an invite to the 2022 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    
    
34. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Ryan Wittenbrink, F, Indiana
    
    
    The 6-1 165 lb Ryan Wittenbrink has stepped up earning the starting forward job at Indiana. Ryan Wittenbrink had 10 goals, 9 assists, and 29 points in his 18 starts in 2022. Ryan Wittenbrink is versatile enough to play the 9 at striker or the 11 at left winger. This versatility compels Houston Dynamo F.C. to draft Ryan Wittenbrink and play him at the 11 at left wing as Ryan Wittenbrink will compliment striker Sebastian Ferreira and attacking midfielder Thorleifur Ulfarsson who Houston Dynamo F.C. drafted fourth overall out of Duke last year.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mariano Fazio, D, Tulsa
    
    
35. Nashville S.C.: Noel Caliskan, M, Loyola Marymount
    
    
    Nashville S.C. gets a second midfielder here that requires an International roster slot. The 5-11 150 lb Noel Caliskan is versatile enough to play the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfielder. He's played 90 minutes in every game this season, but requires an International roster slot. Noel Caliskan had 3 goals, 4 assists, 10 points, and helped Loyola Marymount get 6 shutouts after losing goalie Jacob Jackson who was drafted by the New England Revolution in the first round of the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Noel Caliskan will develop on Huntsville City FC which is the official MLS Next team of Nashville S.C., but could be on Nashville S.C. by 2024.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Stephen Afrifa, F, Florida International
    
    
    
    
36. Atlanta United F.C.: Daniel Wu, D, Georgetown
    
    
    Atlanta United F.C. drafts a center back to pair with Miles Robinson here. Gio Miglietti went undrafted in the 2022 MLS Super Draft meaning he's not eligible for the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 154 lb Daniel Wu is the only member of Georgetown's 2019 Men's College Cup Championship team that recorded 12 shutouts before winning their first National Championship in College Soccer. Wu was part of 8 of Georgetown's 9 shutout wins in 2021 after missing the Spring of 2021 with a season ending injury. Wu has started 17 games and Georgetown recorded 5 shutouts in those seventeen games thanks to their center back tandem of Daniel Wu and junior Kenny Nielsen, a 2024 MLS Draft prospect in 2022. This center back tandem looked good against Pittsburgh despite losing their season opener at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Wu can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back with his versatility.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Gio Miglietti, D, Washington
    
    
37. Sporting Kansas City: Victor Souza, D, Boston College
    
    
    I saw one Sporting Kansas City blog say that Sporting Kansas City is considering Victor Souza at 8. Honestly, getting a Generation Adidas player or Duncan McGuire at 8 should be Sporting Kansas City's goal. If a domestic born center back like Victor Souza falls to the second round, then you have to consider Souza at that point in the second round. Especially if he's a guy your team has a first round grade on.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 195 lb Victor Souza played both the 4 at sweeper and the 5 at center back for Boston College. He's a great center back prospect that Sporting Kansas City can stash since he's good enough to play next to Esai Easley down the road in the MLS.
    
    
    
    Victor Souza had 1 assist and 1 shutout in 2022. He was effective at center back for Boston College in a really competitive ACC conference which is why he accepted an invite to the 2022 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ryan Wittenbrink, F, Indiana
    
    
    
    
38. Seattle Sounders: Stefan Sigurdarson, F, Boston College
    
    
    Seattle needs youth at striker with both Will Bruin and Freddy Montero in their thirties. The only question is do you take the 21-year-old Stefan Siguardson out of Boston College who requires an International roster slot or the domestic 22-year-old Patrick Agyemang out of Rhode Island. Siguardson is a more consistent goal scorer despite being younger while Agyemang looks faster on tape. That's what makes this such a tough call because Seattle could honestly consider either at this point.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Stefan Siguardson is the youngest player that fell to round 2 of my 2023 MLS Mock Draft as he's only 21-years-old despite being a senior. Stefan Siguardson had 6 goals and 12 points in 2021. Stefan Siguardson had 12 goals, 1 assist, and 25 points in 2022. He led the ACC in goals during the regular season as a senior and both of the Seattle Sounders strikers are in their thirties. Stefan Siguardson also played on the Philadelphia Union MLS Next Team when he wasn't on Boston College.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Keegan Hughes, D, Stanford
    
    
39. New England Revoultion: Brandon Morales, M, Cornell
    
    
    New England doubles up at winger. After taking Syracuse forward Levonte Johnson as a right winger, now New England has to draft a domestic born left winger here in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 147 lb Brandon Morales had 8 goals, 8 assists, and 24 points in 2022. The 23-year-old left winger that plays the 11 on Cornell also plays on the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the USL. He's not as versatile as former Cornell midfielder Tyler Badgley, Inter Miami's 2022 second round pick, who I raved about last year giving him a midseason top 10 grade before he fell to the second round, but Brandon Morales has USL experience and that intrigues me enough to take a look at him in the second round. Morales was born in Pharr, Texas meaning he's a domestic born player that would not count as an International roster slot.
    
    
    
    
    
40. Charlote FC: Christian Soto, M, Washington
    
    
    Charlotte FC adds a midfielder for depth. Christian Soto participated in the 2022 MLS College Showcase and I had him as high as eleventh overall at one point.
    
    
    
    The 5-5 145 lb Christian Soto had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 6 points as a freshman in 2019. Soto had 4 goals, 3 assists, and 11 points as a sophomore in the Spring of 2021. Soto had 4 assists and 4 points in the Fall of 2021. Christian Soto had 4 goals and 8 points while starting all 19 games during the regular season so far in 2022.
    
    
    
    Christian Soto is versatile enough to play the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 10 at attacking midfielder, or the 11 at left winger. Charlotte FC looks past Soto's height and gambles on him here in the second round since he's too good to still be on the board.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jalen James, M, Campbell
    
    
41. Colorado Rapids: Jackson Walti, M, Pittsburgh
    
    
    Colorado gets a midfielder in the second round. The Colorado Rapids get their second International player in this draft. Colorado is moving on from Philip Mayaka, so they grab a new International player here hoping Jackson Walti brings his best to the pitch.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 169 lb Jackson Walti had 2 goals, 4 points, and 8 shutouts for Pittsburgh as their defensive midfielder at the 6 so far in 2022. He's a high energy guy and kind of reminds me of Baker Mayfield in terms of how competitive he is from an attitude standpoint. Walti is one of these players that's passionate about what he does and will do what it takes to help his team win.
    
    
    
    
    
42. Vancouver Whitecaps: Patrick Agyemang, F, Rhode Island
    
    
    Vancouver runs a 3-4-2-1 formation. One player that has the speed to sneak into the first round is Rhode Island forward Patrick Agyemang. I already addressed Vancouver's two biggest needs with a Saint Louis central midfielder John Klein and Kentucky right back Robert Screen.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 180 lb Patrick Agyemang had 10 goals, 6 assists, and 26 points in the Fall of 2021. Patrick Agyemang had 7 goals, 2 assists, and 16 points in 2022.
    
    
    
    Patrick Agyemang participated in the 2022 MLS College Showcase. He's a guy some teams have a first round grade on because of his speed and pinpoint kicking accuracy. You'd like to see him kick with more power, but he's reliable enough to get picked in the first two rounds.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Charles Auguste, M, Creighton
    
    
    
    
43. Columbus Crew: Connor Drought, D, Cornell
    
    
    The Columbus Crew could use upgrades at left back, left wing, striker if the team wants a goal scorer who gets double digit goals, and a midfielder to replace Darlington Nagbe at either central midfielder or defensive midfielder. Columbus would be my third candidate to move their draft pick for allocation money since the team had two first round picks last year, plus I could see them wanting to trade this pick if a player at a position of need isn't on the board.
    
    
    
    Most Crew fans seem to agree that left back is the biggest of these four needs. I mocked a left back to Columbus back in 2022, but Columbus went for a stop gap over a long-term talent.
    
    
    
    The 5-6 135 lb Connor Drought is a natural 3 at the left back spot. He had 3 goals, 8 assists, 14 points, and 4 shutouts with Cornell in 2022. The Seattle Sounders didn't sign Connor Drought and he appeared on the final MLS draft list. Columbus doubles up at left back, so they can move forward Isaiah Reid to left winger while drafting a more natural player to play the 3 at left back like Cornell's Connor Drought.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Dominic Briggs, M, Creighton
    
    
44. Portland Timbers: Cole Jensen, G, Xavier
    
    
    Portland is a team that could end up drafting a goalie. The Portland Timbers draft Xavier goalie Cole Jensen now that Nate Silveria is not on the official 2023 MLS Super Draft list.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 195 lb Cole Jensen plays the 1 at goalie. Cole Jensen started 18 games, allowed 16 goals, posted a 0.89 goals against average, recorded 59 saves, had a .787 save percentage, 8 shutouts, and a 9-2-7 record as a junior redshirt before winning the 2022 Big East Goalie Of The Year Award.
    
    
    
    Previous Big East Goalie Of The Year winners include Georgetown goalie Giannis Nikopoldis who won Big East Goalie Of The Year in 2019 and 2020 in the Spring of 2021 and St. John's goalie Luka Garvan who won the Big East Goalie Of the Year Award in the Fall of 2021. Both of those Big East goalies were drafted in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Garvan was a big goalie at 6-6 200 lbs and there's a reason Toronto F.C. took him with their first pick in the second round of the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Cole Jensen isn't as refined as Luka Garvan was and Garvan had 6 shutouts in MLS Next in 2022. With Alex Bono gone, Luka Garvan is a candidate to get promoted to MLS at some point next season for Toronto F.C.
    
    
    
    Cole Jensen is kind of raw. At the same time, he's got enough potential to be the Portland Timbers starting goalie in the MLS by 2025 if he develops properly in MLS Next. Most have Jensen as the second best goalie in the 2023 MLS Super Draft behind High Point goalie Holden Trent, but my issue with Jensen is he's a one year starter despite his size. Cole Jensen is my third best goalie in the 2023 MLS Super Draft behind Russell Shealy and Holden Trent who I got first round grades on.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nate Silveira, G, Vermont
    
    
    
    
45. Real Salt Lake: Alex Meinhard, F, Tulsa
    
    
    Real Salt Lake gets a player who can play striker and left winger here. Alex Meinhard is a good fit for what Real Salt Lake in the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 160 lb Alex Meinhard had 12 goals, 1 assist, and 25 points as a sophomore redshirt in 2021. Alex Meinhard had 10 goals, 5 assists, and 25 points as a junior redshirt in 2022. Alex Meinhard has elite kicking power and kicking accuracy despite being 24-years-old. There's a reason I compared him to former Dallas Burn striker Jason Kreis when watching his tape. Alex Meinhard is a guy with first round traits in terms of kicking despite being older hten most prospects in this draft.
    
    
    
    Alex Meinhard played in both the 2021 MLS College Showcase and the 2022 MLS College Showcase. His consistency as a goal scorer stands out even if he doesn't wow you with size or speed.
    
    
    
    Alex Meinhard can play the 9 at striker or the 11 at left winger. He seems like a perfect candidate to replace Albert Rusnak.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Omar Grey, M, Washington
    
    
46. Orlando City S.C.: Sam Fowler, G, Washington
    
    
    Orlando City S.C addressed their two biggest needs fixing the backline and getting an attacking midfielder. Now Orlando City S.C. can draft a developmental goalie here in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 180 lb Sam Fowler plays the 1 at goalie. Sam Fowler started 13 games, allowed 6 goals, posted a 0.62 goals against average, recorded 21 saves, had a .724 save percentage, 7 shutouts, and a 11-2-0 record as a true freshman in 2019 Sam Fowler started 15 games, allowed 11 goals, posted a 0.78 goals against average, recorded 41 saves, had a .788 save percentage, 6 shutouts, and a 10-4-0 record in the Spring of 2021. Sam Fowler started 21 games allowed 16 goals, posted a 0.74 goals against average, recorded 62 saves, had a .795 save percentage, 8 shutouts, and a 16-2-2 record in the Fall of 2021 while taking Washington to the Championship game of the 2021 College Cup. Sam Fowler started 14 games allowed 11 goals, posted a 0.80 goals against average, recorded 30 saves, had a .732 save percentage, 4 shutouts, and an 11-2-1 record in 2022.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Kameron Lacey, F, Charlotte
    
    
    
    
47. Inter Miami C.F.: Robert Screen, D, Kentucky
    
    
    Inter Miami C.F. gets a right back for depth in the second round. Kentucky right back Robert Screen is great value pick for Inter Miami C.F. here. If he works hard, he could one day start on the same back line with former Kentucky center back Aime Mabika, one of Inter Miami C.F.'s two 2021 first round picks from Kentucky.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 145 lb Robert Screen had 6 assists, 6 points, and 12 shutouts with Kentucky in the Fall of 2021. He led Kentucky in minutes played starting 20 games in his junior season while having 0 yellow cards in 2021. Robert Screen has 2 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, and helped Kentucky record 11 shutouts in 2022. Robert Screen has three yellow cards and is 1/2 on penalty kicks.
    
    
    
    Robert Screen can play the 2 at right back, the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder. He was a pure right back entering 2022, but has managed to showcase more versatility than any right back in the 2022 MLS Super Draft and Kentucky remained undefeated until losing to Pittsburgh in the Sweet 16.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Abdi Salim, D, Syracuse
    
    
48. Minnesota United F.C.: Xavier Zengue, D, Dayton
    
    
    Minnesota United F.C. gets one of my two Atlantic ten players that really wowed me. The two players that wowed me were Andrew Mitchell of Loyola Chicago who had 8 headers off of interceptions against Duquense and Dayton center back Xavier Zengue. Andrew Mitchell wasn't on the 2023 MLS Draft list while hometown prospect Xavier Zengue from North Oaks, Minnesota was on the 2023 MLS Super Draft list.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb Xavier Zengue had 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, and helped Dayton record 7 shutouts in 2022. Xavier Zengue has the speed, tackling, passing, vision, kicking power, and kicking accuracy on passes that you want. You'd like to see him continue to improve his kicking accuracy on shots, but he's got so many good traits that you look for in a defender. He's versatile enough to play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Andrew Mitchell, D, Loyola
    
    
    
    
49. Nashville S.C.: Kameron Lacey, F, Charlotte
    
    
    Nashville S.C. gets a forward for depth. Both C.J. Sapong and Teal Bunbury are getting older.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 175 lb Kameron Lacey is versatile enough to play the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, the 10 at attacking midfielder, and the 11 at right winger. He was on F.C. Dallas and Orlando City S.C.'s Academy Teams growing up. He was born in Jamacia, but his hometown was Miami FL before playing High School at Monverde Academy.
    
    
    
    Charlotte was 8-0-0 when Lacey recorded a point in in 2021. Lacey had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 15 points in 2021. Lacey had 9 goals, 7 assists, and 25 points in 2022. Kameron Lacey will develop on Huntsville City FC which is the official MLS Next team of Nashville S.C., but could be on Nashville S.C. by 2024 or 2025. Nashville won't have to give him an MLS contract if he requires an International roster slot and can make Lacey earn bigger opportunities in MLS Next.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Andrew Mitchell, D, Loyola
    
    
50. New York Red Bulls: Aidan Rocha, M, Georgetown
    
    
    The New York Red Bulls draft a midfielder for depth here. Georgetown right back Aidan Rocha is versatile enough to play the 2 at right back, the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Aidan Rocha had 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and 7 shutouts for Georgetown in 2022. He can be used as a depth piece on midfielder or defense.
    
    
    
    Aidan Rocha took over for Dylan Nealis at right back after Georgetown won the 2019 College Cup. He also participated in the 2022 MLS College Showcase. The New York Red Bulls have two quality right backs, so Aidan Rocha would be on New York Red Bulls II in MLS Next.
    
    
    
    
    
51. FC Cincinnati: Shaun Joash, F, Grand Canyon
    
    
    FC Cincinnati gets a right winger for depth here in the second round. Shaun Joash from Grand Canyon is versatile enough to play the 7 at right winger and the 9 at striker.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 185 lb Shaun Joash had 9 goals, 4 assists, and 22 points in 2021. Shaun Joash had 12 goals, 6 assists, and 30 points in 2022.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Thomas DeVizio, D, Rutgers
    
    
52. Los Angeles Galaxy: London Aghedo, D, Air Force
    
    
    Los Angeles can go with the best player on the board in the second round. Los Angeles has one International roster slot available, but the Los Angeles Galaxy ended up taking a domestic player to my surprise.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 184 lb London Aghedo led Air Force with 1,452 minutes played in 2021 during his junior season when 2022 second round pick Tristan Trager was there. Travis Clark has him ranked as his sixth best center back despite not being at the 2022 MLS College Showcase because Air Force only allowed 1.31 goals per game in 2022. London Aghedo had 2 goals, 1 assists, 5 points, and helped Air Force record 4 shutouts while playing 1,205 minutes, leading Air Force to the number one seed in the WAC Tournament, earning WAC Defensive Player Of The Year in 2022. London Aghedo has enough stamina and dedication to be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    I'm not sure London Aghedo cracks the first round, but someone will gamble on him in the second round. The Los Angeles Galaxy are a team that needs to come away from the 2023 MLS Super Draft with multiple center backs. I gave the Los Angeles Galaxy Keegan Hughes in the first round before getting London Aghedo in the second round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Eythor Bjorgolffson, F, Kentucky
    
    
    
    
53. F.C. Dallas: Omar Grey, M, Washington
    
    
    F.C. Dallas got an attacking midfielder in the first round. Now F.C. Dallas goes with the best player on the board in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 156 lb Omar Grey had 2 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 2022. Omar Grey can play the 6 at defensive midfielder, 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, or the 10 at attacking midfielder with his versatility. There were games where Grey played midfielder as well as games where he was a secondary striker to Ilijah Paul in 2022.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Eric Conerty, M, Western Michigan
    
    
54. CF Montreal: Christian Curti, D, Syracuse
    
    
    CF Montreal needs upgrades at attacking midfielder with Dorde Mihailovic leaving, right winger with Allstair Johnson leaving, defensive midfielder with Victor Wanyama leaving, and centerback. CF Montreal extending their goalie is a sign that they don't feel comfortable drafting a goalie in the first round of the 2023 MLS Super Draft after there was speculation that CF Montreal would draft a goalie in the first round of the 2022 MLS Super Draft when there were two Generation Adidas goalies with Roman Celentano and Patrick Shulte. CF Montreal traded their first round pick to Real Salt Lake for Real Salt Lake starting right back Aaron Herrera.
    
    
    
    CF Montreal gets their future center back. Getting a center back to pair with former Syracuse centerback Kamal Miller who is CF Montreal's starting left back would be a good idea.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 178 lb Christian Curti started all 25 games had 1 goal, 3 assists, 5 points, and helped Syracuse record 10 shutouts in 2022. CF Montreal can draft Christian Curti without using an International roster slot.
    
    
    
    Drafting Christian Curti gives CF Montreal a good backline for their current starting goalie. That backline would feature Kamal Miller at left back, Christian Curti at center back, and Aaron Herrera at right back.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Hunter Morse, G, Western Michigan
    
    
    
    
55. New York City F.C.: Ethan Conley, D, UNC Greensboro
    
    
    New York City F.C. drafts a right back here. UNC Greensboro right back Ethan Conley is a natural.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Ethan Conley has helped UNC Greensboro record 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 points, and 6 shutouts in 2022. He's also gone 35 consecutive games without a yellow card. Ethan Conley is versatile enough to play the 2 at right back, the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back where he got called with a foul against Clemson, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder. Ethan Conley is a year younger then Robert Screen despite the fact that Screen is slightly more versatile. I like Conley more in terms of being able to transition from defense to offense, but both Screen and Conley did enough on tape to convince me they were first round talents, but guys like Abdi Salim and Nick Richardson are getting pushed up the boards despite this which has affected where Robert Screen and Ethan Conley land.
    
    
    
    Ethan Conley was dominant against Clemson and Louisville in the two games I watched of him for UNC Greensboro. He was knocking Ousmane Sylia, a guy who College Soccer News called the front runner to go first overall in the 2022 MLS Super Draft a year ago flat on his you can guess what word that starts with the letter a that I'm thinking of. Excuse my language, but Conley was just that good in the one-on-ones against Clemson. New York City F.C. lost their starting right back Anton Tinnerholm to Malmo FF in Sweden. Ethan Conley can come in and compete with the other right backs on New York City F.C. for minutes.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Lucas Gen, D, Princeton
    
    
56. Austin FC: Eric Conerty, M, Western Michigan
    
    
    Austin F.C. has addressed all of their needs. They go with the best player on the board by taking a midfielder whose a domestic born player.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 155 lb Eric Conerty could fill that attacking midfielder void for Austin FC as a playmaker and be a subsitute attacking midfielder off of the bench in MLS. Eric Conerty had 3 goals, 11 assists, and 17 points for Western Michigan so far in 2022. Western Michigan defeated Akron to win the 2022 MAC Championship before defeating Louisville and Lipscomb in the 2022 College Cup.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Victor Souza, D, Boston College
    
    
    
    
57. Philadelphia Union: Jalen James, M, Campbell
    
    
    Philadelphia has Kai Wagner, Matt Real, and Pittsburgh left back Jackson Gillman in their academy as a homegrown player. Philadelphia also has Indiana right back Nyk Sessock. Philadelphia will either move this pick for Allocation money or pass on it. If the Union keep this pick, grabbing a right winger for depth wouldn't be a bad idea.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 150 lb Jalen James is the top domestic born right winger in the 2023 MLS Draft on the board. He's a natural 7 at right winger. Jalen James had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 13 points in the Spring of 2021. Jalen James had 4 goals, 0 assists, and 8 points in the Fall of 2021. Jalen James had 8 goals, 3 assists, and 19 points in 2022. Jalen James was ranked as high as tenth overall in my very first 2023 MLS Mock Draft back in August.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nick Richardson, D, Maryland
    
    
58. LAFC: Kyle Colonna, D, San Diego State
    
    
    LAFC won the 2022 MLS Cup, and Championship Gear is available on Fantatics if you click on the link. Kyle Colonna is the first of two players from the San Diego area to get drafted by LAFC.
    
    
    
    LAFC grabs a developmental center back for depth to replace Sebastien Ibeagha. Vermont center back Garrett Lillie is not on the 2023 MLS Draft List. San Diego State center back Kyle Colonna is though.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 175 lb Kyle Colonna can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at centerback with his versatility. Kyle Colonna had 1 goal, 2 points, and helped San Diego State record 4 shutouts in 2022. Two of those four shutouts were against PAC 12 teams Stanford and Oregon State. Washington, Stanford, Oregon State, and UCLA were the only four PAC 12 teams to make the 2022 College Cup with San Diego State and California missing. Oregon State handed Washington their only regular season loss of the year and Stanford was the highest seeded PAC 12 Team to make the Sweet 16. That's my case for a domestic born center back like Kyle Colonna here at the end of the second round even though it's not a great case.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Garrett Lillie, D, Vermont